Juarez is a war zone.

“God, have mercy.”

We have friends living and working there, so the news of the murder of an American couple strikes home for us. A few years back our family spent Spring break working in an orphanage in the heart of the sprawling ghetto that is that city.

“Father, coddle and protect and comfort that one year old child who just witnessed the bloody assassination of the mother and father… Have mercy!”

The two Americans, associated with the US Consulate General in this violence-ridden border city just across the Rio Grande river from El Paso, Texas, were shot to death Saturday in broad daylight by a drive-by shooter. The Mexican government and the White House say that drug traffickers in Ciudad Juarez, one of the most violent and dangerous cities on the planet, were to blame. Violence of this sort is a daily occurrence in Juarez.

It was no isolated incident. In 2009 more than 2,600 people were murdered in the city.

Join me in prayer for the peace of Juarez.

“God, have mercy on Juarez, Mexico today, and every day. Reach down now and stem this violence. For all those who have suffered deaths and violence in their families, give them comfort to go on. For those who feel fear today, give them courage and wisdom to know how to go about their lives. Strengthen the hands of those officials charged with stopping this epidemic. Give them courage and integrity and the resources and support they need. Work in the hearts of the traffickers themselves. Intervene and change their ways. Remind them of your presence and give them the fear of your judgment. On the drug-demand side, Lord, break our nation’s addition to drugs. This violence grows from the insatiable appetite we have for this poison. Break the grip of drugs at the root of the problem, and give those working with individuals using drugs the secrets to breaking the chains of addiction. Lord, send angels to do battle there in Juarez – a battle of peace against the battles of violence. You are a God of peace. Come now and bring your safety and blessing and comfort and steady strength. In Jesus name!”